Ana of California

April 13, 2015
Comparing Teran’s debut to its inspiration, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, would do Teran’s novel a disservice, as this contemporary take has a much quicker pace and a unique protagonist. To keep 15-year-old Los Angeles native Ana Cortez out of a group home, she is sent to Garber farms in Hadley, Calif., in a work-based living arrangement. Fans of Montgomery’s series will appreciate nods to blackberry bushes, Ana’s uncontrollable mouth, and the farm setting, but not recognizing these references will not hinder other readers’ enjoyment. The novel skews to a younger audience, with tougher subjects (such as Ana’s parents’ ties to gangs and drugs) minimally explored. The gravitas of Ana’s situation, and the very real possibility that Ana’s placement at Garber Farms will not work out, is also kept at a surface level. Ana’s relationship with the Garber siblings—Abbie and Emmett—inspires a few cute moments, but it develops too quickly. Ana’s budding friendship with Rye Moon, on the other hand, is one of the most enjoyable elements to the story. Readers will appreciate the references to music, books, and art, and the way shared artistic interests can bring people together.

April 15, 2015
Fifteen-year-old Ana Cortez has spent her life shuttling into, but mostly out of, foster homes. Now she has one last chance to find a home-working on a California farm.Spunky Ana has seen everything from gang shootings to child abuse, but she doesn't know the difference between Chinese eggplant and turnips. Farm owner Emmett Garber is skeptical about her ability to do well on the farm, but his sister, Abbie, hopes that with enough food and affection Ana will come into her own. But Ana's hot temper, her fashionista best friend, and an enigmatic boy who keeps turning up at all the wrong times keep landing her in trouble. In her debut novel, Teran presents a modern riff on the beloved classic Anne of Green Gables. Fans will recognize their favorite moments embedded in a darker take. Teran populates her novel with modern bugbears-drugs, gang violence, and hipsters. Newcomers will find a smart-mouthed heroine, a small town populated by a cast of lovable characters, and zippy dialogue that keeps the plot trotting along. Anne of Green Gables fans will rejoice; newcomers will find a satisfying tale; and Ana's high jinks will leave both types of readers smiling and asking for more.

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Starred review from May 1, 2015

Ana Cortez, an outspoken, feisty, 15-year-old orphan girl, has been in and out of foster homes since she was six years old. Dubbed a troublemaker, she has only one option left open to her if she wants to avoid going to a group home. She is sent to work on a family-owned farm in Northern California, far away from the east side of Los Angeles where she has grown up. If she can only stay out of trouble until her 16th birthday, she will be given the opportunity to apply for emancipation and finally make it out of the foster system. But to a young woman compelled to stand up for what she believes is just, controversy always seems to follow close at her heels. VERDICT Debut fiction author Teran's contemporary reimagining of Anne of Green Gables brilliantly captures the essence of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic story of a girl who will win your heart with her well-meaning imperfections. A great example of an adult/YA crossover novel, this book would especially work well as a mother/teen daughter book group read. Highly recommended.--Vicky M. Coffin, Eastern Connecticut State Univ., Willimantic

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2015

In this modern adaptation of the beloved Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, the red-haired heroine from Nova Scotia has been updated to a curly haired Mexican American teen from East Los Angeles. Fitted with a similar, tragic backstory, Ana has a penchant for getting into scrapes, and her hard-won resilience echoes her predecessor's example. However, in this tale, Ana channels her creativity through art and her appreciation of punk music instead of writing, and the cast of the small town that she gets sent to as part of her road to emancipation is more diverse. Gender-flipped roles and contemporary issues make this a fresh take that even the uninitiated will appreciate. The brother/sister pair who take her in to help with their ailing farm have their own drama, and her love interest (Cole) and best friend (Rye) are troubled teens themselves, adding to the realism that permeates this work. Farm life, social issues, and small minds are threads that young adults will relate to, and Ana's memories of her past life with a loving grandmother and a gang-ridden upbringing will add a level of poignancy. The latter half picks up the pace, and here is where Teran departs from the original story line. Even secondary characters are well-developed, and the food descriptions will make mouths water. Despite some harrowing scenes, Ana's place at Garber Farms is never in doubt. VERDICT A heartwarming homage to a classic with a diverse twist that will be a hit with fans of realistic fiction.-Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.